President Iohannis: No compromise on ensuring Israel’s security

While in Tel Aviv on Monday, President Klaus Iohannis said that Israel’s security is an axiomatic topic for Romania, while no compromises are accepted on that.

“We understand ensuring Israel’s security as an axiomatic topic, which can’t be compromised on. On the other hand, fighting terrorism is a firm commitment on Romania’s foreign policy agenda. This is why we are members of the anti-Daesh coalition and we are participating in the ‘Stability’ work group. Any type of cooperation with Israel in the fight against terrorism will be a joint contribution to reaching the major goal of bringing peace and welfare in the world,” President Iohannis stated in a joint press conference with his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin.

President Iohannis thanked the Israeli head of state for the warm welcome. “Romania gives particular importance to its relations with Israel, and this visit comes to honor the legacy of our cooperation and especially to project its future. I am confident that ongoing friendship relations between our countries, with a tradition of 68 years, based on shared values and objectives, will continue to develop and to expand for the benefit of both peoples. I am confident that the fruitful talks we will engage in throughout this visit will contribute to enhancing our diplomatic, political and, I hope, economic dialogue,” Iohannis said.

He underlined the interest in boosting new fields of cooperation, such as innovation, research, science and technology. In his view, Romania has “a remarkable potential” in these sectors.

President Iohannis also reminded that Romania is taking over the presidency of the International Alliance for the Holocaust Remembrance as of March 8^th. “We have the ambition to become a regional centre for promoting the education related to Holocaust and countering anti-Semitism,” the Romanian head of state said.

Klaus Iohannis and first lady Carmen Iohannis were received by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the Beit Hanassi presidential residence.

President Iohannis started the six-day state visit to Israel and Palestine on Sunday, being the first of his term. On Monday, he is to meet Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Patriarch Theophilos III of the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem being high on the Monday’s agenda.

At the end of the day, the President and the first lady will attend a state dinner hosted by their Israeli counterparts, President Reuven Rivlin and first lady Nechama Rivlin.

On Tuesday, Carmen and Klaus Iohannis head of state and the first lady will visit the Mount Herzl National Cemetery where they will lay a wreath at the tomb of Theodor Herzl. The Romanian president will also visit Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.

On Tuesday President Iohannis will hold talks with Knesset (Israeli Parliament) opposition leader and Chairman of the Labour Party Isaac Herzog and with Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein. The Romanian head of state and first lady will also visit the seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.

On Wednesday, the President will visit the Western Wall and will meet in Jerusalem representatives of the Romanian community of Israel.

On Thursday, Iohannis is scheduled to meet President of the State of Palestine and Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas for closed-door talks. The two officials will hold a joint press statement. The Romanian head of state will attend a luncheon offered by the Palestinian President.